Anyone else signed up for the Archipelago this year? This will be my first run at it. Signed up for the full Arch. Any tips other than use lots of Chamois Butter? Trying to decide if I want to go hardtail or full squish.

It's not a very technical ride so go for pedaling efficiency. The climbs are pretty brutal, especially over 50 miles. For training I recommend mileage to break in your butt, and lots of climbs to get your legs ready.

I'm so old and weak that I've just volunteered to work aid stations and do one leg of sweeping the last few years. This year, they introduced half-arch, and I should be able to do that in spite of my overflowing jar of weaksauce. I signed up for the half-arch this year.

I have vowed to never ride Elfin or La Costa again. It's just a sufferfest when you have neither strength nor stamina.

It's the first time in a while that I'm not doing the Arch Ride. It got progressively harder as I got progressively older. But even with all the suffering, it was always a good time. I'd definitely recommend a FS bike, especially if you have any back issues.

_________________The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper names.

Thanks for the input. I guess my question really is more to the route. Being new to North County, I haven't ridden most of the areas on the route. I've ridden Black Mountain once, Hodges a few times times but never ridden Elfin or Penasquitos or any of the connectors. I've done a few long rides in OC, Rwanda(50 miles/5k), Counting Coup(40 miles/8k), but I knew those areas and could pace myself accordingly. Gonna be a long day in the saddle but I'm looking forward to seeing more of the riding areas. The fact that it ends at a brewery is just a bonus!

Most of the route isn't difficult and pacing yourself along with sufficient food and water intake should be enough to get you through. There aren't any massive climbs like you get in the Santa Anas but the climbs up Elfin, Crosby switchbacks, Lusardi, Black Mtn, and up to Del Mar Mesa do add up and can put a hurt on you, especially if it's hot out.

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